05 LC 22
5873S
The
House Committee on State Planning and Community Affairs - Local Legislation
offers the following substitute to HB 517:
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
amend an Act revising, superseding, and consolidating the laws relating to the
governing authority of DeKalb County, approved March 8, 1956 (Ga. L. 1956, p.
3237), as amended, particularly by an Act establishing the form of government of
DeKalb County, approved April 9, 1981 (Ga. L. 1981, p. 4304), as amended, so as
to require a public comment period at every public meeting of the DeKalb County
Commission or other entities created by the Commission or by local Act relating
to the governing authority of DeKalb County; to provide for related matters; to
repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
An
Act revising, superseding, and consolidating the laws relating to the governing
authority of DeKalb County, approved March 8, 1956 (Ga. L. 1956, p. 3237), as
amended, particularly by an Act establishing the form of government of DeKalb
County, approved April 9, 1981 (Ga. L. 1981, p. 4304), as amended, is amended by
inserting in said amendatory Act a new section to be designated Section 12.1 to
read as follows:
"SECTION
12.1.
In
every public meeting of the Commission or any committee, board, department,
agency, or other entity created by the Commission or by local Act of the General
Assembly relating to the governing authority of DeKalb County, a public comment
period shall be held at or near the beginning of the meeting to allow every
individual present who wishes to speak an opportunity to address the Commission
or other entity for at least two minutes regarding one or more issues or items
before the Commission or other entity holding the meeting or on the agenda for
such meeting. No vote of the members of the Commission or other entity holding
the meeting shall precede the public comment
period."
SECTION
2.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.